Marines stormed the enginehouse with sledge hammers in an attempt to break down the doors. According to one marine, the sledge hammers made "very little impression" on the thick oak doors. Eventually, the marines used a ladder as a battering ram to gain entry.

This is a segment off the entrace gate to the United States Armory at Harpers Ferry. When John Brown and his men entered the grounds of the armory, they began an armed insurrection against the government of the United States. Read more »